Buyouts for Francis, Webber ongoing, and may interest Rox.

CWebb, Steve Francis!!!!! We would no longer be looked at as a defensive team. They would marginally increase our offense. The trade-off is not worth it. Webber doesn't solve our needs at PF. Really, what is he gonna give us. Don't expect no 20 and 10, that's tomfoolery to believe that. Defense!!? NO!!!!! Rebouding!!? NO!!!!! This is the West, where the big boys play. He can't get off the ground. He hasn't bent his knees in 3 years.

Steve Francis turns into Steve Wonder on D, he can't see his opponent. Can he shoot!!? NO!!! Neither can Rafer, but Rafer is a far better decision maker. Who's more likely to get the ball to Yao!!?? He didn't before, so why would he now. He probably won't get the ball to T-Mac either!!

Look elsewhere, I mean good God, we should take a look at Melvin Ely instead, who recently requested a trade. He's a pair of fresh legs that is ready to jump-start his career.

 

would no longer be looked at as a defensive team

howard/hayes/wesley/rafer/barry/etc...all some players that arent considered 'great' defensive players but still functioned in team defense, which is what really matters

 

Of course we should consider Steve. Heck, for a minimum contract we should consider Matt Bullard

However, Steve doesn't have shooting range and he can't provide the spacing that Rafer does.

He would not fill our need at point guard. He would have to have matured and completely revamped his game in order for him to push the ball up the court and not look for his shot.

Could he convert to a pass first PG? You never say never, because he has the passing and ballhandling skills, but Steve has a streetballer/one on one/try to look good/dribble excessively mentality.

He could be a great spark off the bench though.


On the other hand, if his legacy is really important to him, he might accept a lesser role and really transform himself into a great role player in order to be called a "champion" or a winner.

 

What part of Chris Webber or Steve Francis has ever contributed to the concept of team defense.

 

Formerly a good shooter with range. Shot above 50% with Washington, around 48% with Sac, and currently managing 39%. Watching him play, you can see that he lost his touch.

Formerly a great passer. At his peak he was good for 5 dimes/game, but when Philly started cutting down his touches, he started getting more selfish with the ball. He CAN pass, but he's more interested in proving that he can still put up 20.

Decent on the boards, but can't go after balls. Rarely bangs beneath the glass to try and get offensive boards.

The biggest problem with Webber is that you'd be getting a marginal upgrade of Juwan's offensive game at the cost of Webber's flat footed defense. He can't switch or double on the perimiter (JVG musts) and he gets embarrassed by any PF that doesn't have arthritic hips. Battier and Hayes are much better options on D.

Still, at the minimum, I'd welcome him on the team, PROVIDED that he decides that he is okay with being a 25 mpg guy and embraces the sort of role that Mutombo and Juwan have. He adamently refused to do that in Philly, and I want no part of his in-denial attempts to be a relevant scorer.

Evan

 

Wow, If NY bought out Francis, I would love to see him back in Houston. He could back up Rafer, or Start. I don't see any problems with Stevie deferring to Mac or Yao. I watched some of his Knicks games this year and Steve was setting up this teammates more than looking for his own shot.

I'm pretty sure it's a long shot that we actually do sign him, but I'd think his career would be revived if he came back to Houston. I don't know if anyone remembers, but Stevie was playing his best ever in his last playoff series with the Rockets. He was the main reason we damn near knocked off the Lakers.

Please Rockets, BRING STEVE FRANCIS BACK HOME!

 

Actually C.Webb complements Yao nicely, spread the floor very well, terrific passer, desent on boards. I'm supprised so many fans dont see this. If we cant get a young athletic dud at 4, Webb is better than nothing if coming cheap.

and say no to SteveO.

 

Stevie is 10 times better than Rafer. Stevie is going to have field day if Tmac and Yao are both doubled. Dont say Stevie cannot play D. JVG can make donky play D. I want him back if the price is reasonable. After what he has been gone through the past year, he will cherish another chance rockets give him.

 

We could give Steve a prorated $1.9 million if Sura retired from a medical disability. All it would cost Les is about $1 million. I'd do it - low risk, like the Bonzi deal. If it doesn't work out, we can cut him, just like we did with Mad Max.

 

Uh, Webber has been with the 76ers for a while.. in the EAST conf. get your facts straight

 

If we go after anything at the trade dealine its going to be for a shooter. Its not going to be for an undersized ball hog gaurd or an old PF. I think we have good shooters here though in Head,Battier,Howard and even Tmac is hitting his 3 pointers alot more these days. Alston will come around with his 3 pointers I sure but till he does he's still a good asst man and a above average defender aswell. I hope Snyder gets to practice soon because he is medicly cleared to play its just that Van Gundy says if you don't practice you don't play. Reason I say this is because we play the Fakers on wednesday and Snyder with his 6-6 hieght/athletic ability and rock solid defense would be another tall gaurd to through at Kobe but it will be Battier and Head who gaurd him though. Battier does a great job on him though. He will on wednesday aswell. We play the Fakers,Nuggets,Kings and Mavericks in the next 4 games and I think we can win 3 of those 4 but at the very worst I think we go 2-2 over the next 4. When Yao comes back we will be able to make a run at that 4th or 5th seed but till then I content holding the 6th seed in the west. Go Rockets!!!

 

Webber's stock went sky-high when he was with the Sacremento Kings.

 

I would take Stevie back in a heartbeat. T-Mac doubled, Yao-doubled - I like the idea of Stevie attacking the basket.

With T-Mac playing duties as a playmaker I don't think Stevie would need to be a distributor.

 

Glad you enjoyed it, but I got it from another poster. I can't remember who, but I liked it too. We are probably a bit hard on "O-fer," he seems like a nice guy, but for several million a year, he is really subpar. I am absolutely certain that I could hit the shots he misses, which is most of them. But at this point in my "basketball career" that is all I could do. Well, I might could match his defensive performance, for a few minutes.

 

both have thier faults but to say they couldn't help this team isn't smart at all.

steve is an immature turn over machine? fine, but he would finish every missed floater that rafer gets.

webber is injury prone and can't be relied on? sure, but off the bench for the minimum, who cares? he would bring a mini yao (post scorer) role to the bench.

i'd try to get both if i could.